Nigeria Will Neither Lose Its Sovereignty Nor Its Land To Boko Haram – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vowed that Nigeria will not compromise its sovereignty nor forgo any inch of its land in the face of current security challenges.

The president said this against the backdrop of concerns being expressed over the alleged capturing of territories in the North East by Islamist sect Boko Haram, and the hoisting of their flags in many ‘conquered’ communities.

Jonathan, who spoke at the graduation ceremony of Course 22 Participants of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, said government had taken a deep look into the situation, the current environment of terrorism in the country and its extremely destructive and socio-economic impact. The government had therefore initiated a number of programmes and dedicated platforms to alleviate the suffering of the people towards recovery, while the government fights the scourge to ensure it ends in the country.

“We have made some gains against the adversary. We face an unspeakable evil and we must confront it with all our national endowment. And as a government, we will not compromise our sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” said Jonathan, who was represented by Defence Minister, Lt. General Aliyu Gusau.

“We will not allow the authority of Nigerian state to be challenged. Education is a human right which is invaluable transformational value and is the bases of our development progress. We shall not give up that right for some faceless, misguided, self-styled terrorists, using it as a means of terror.”

“We will actively promote and hold on to societal goal and security that optimize our collective national strength,” he said.

He therefore called on all Nigerians to join hands with the government to put a stop to this evil as there is no challenge that can divide the collective will of the Nigerian people. He also added that the government remained committed to bringing back the Chibok girls alive.

Speaking further at the event, the president said; “The role of the Armed Forces intelligence and security agencies in the expanded security approach are crucial and urged them to take proactive measures. As a go9vernment, we are committed to improve institutional capacity, platform and equipment, human and resources endowment of our security agencies to meet these challenges.

“Let me use this opportunity to salute the gallantry of men and women of the armed forces, the police, intelligence and the security agencies and emergency services for their loyal and patriotic service to the nation, My heart goes to all the service men that had paid the supreme sacrifice, so that other Nigerians may continue to live in peace and security.

“I wish to convey my personal sympathy to Nigerians, who had in one way or the other suffered human and material loss on account of terrorism, Let me use this opportunity to congratulate the commandant, members of faculty for successfully for successfully conducting and concluding the NDC Course 22,” he said.